Episodes

As we wrap up 2025, Laurie and Leamor sit down for a year-end conversation on Accreditation Insights to reflect on what really stood out in higher education and accreditation this year. We talk about: • Public value and accountability• Accreditation’s growing role in policy and politics• Financial sustainability and institutional viability• Changing credentials and learning models• Leadership and governance expectations• And what we’re watching as we head into 2026 We also share a bit about wh...

On this episode of Accreditation Insights, we are honored to welcome Dr. Gina Scarboro, Executive Director of the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs, better known as CAAHEP. Dr. Scarboro brings a rare blend of academic leadership, clinical practice, and national service to the conversation. From her tenure as a dean and educator to her continuing role as a practicing Certified Anesthesiologist Assistant, her journey reflects a steadfast commitment to excellence in al...

Our guest for this episode is Dr. Matthew Nehmer, President of The Colleges of Law, a mission-driven institution that has carved out a unique space in the legal education landscape through innovation, accessibility, and a strong commitment to social justice. With a career that spans strategic planning, accreditation, academic leadership, and nonprofit management, Dr. Nehmer brings a comprehensive view of how institutions can embrace change while remaining grounded in standards of excellence. Tu...

Are we making assessment too complex—and at what cost to academicstandards? On this episode of Accreditation Insights, I sit down with Dr. David A. Eubanks, Assistant VP for Assessment and Institutional Effectiveness at Furman University and a former member of NACIQI. We explore: Why grades may be the most overlooked yet robust accreditation evidence The rising cost and complexity of assessment practices The ethical tension between tuition revenue and academic rigor Dr. Eubanks brings shar...

Accreditation Insights continues with Part 2 of our series featuring Dr. Robert Manzer, President of the American Academy for Liberal Education. In this follow-up conversation, Dr. Manzer lays out solutions fordepoliticizing accreditation, including: Strengthening faculty governance to uphold rigorStandards and best practices for accreditors Immediate steps for presidents, trustees, and policymakers to realign accreditation with academic quality This episode is sponsored by CAHIIM, host of the...

Accreditation Insights kicks off a two-part series with Dr. Robert Manzer, President of the American Academy forLiberal Education, as he explores his AEI report, “Depoliticizing the University: Re-Prioritizing Academic Excellence in Accreditation and Faculty Governance.” Link to article: (princetoniansforfreespeech.org) In Part 1, we unpack:The roots of politicization in accreditationHow policy shifts have shaped today’s landscapeThe risks of relying too heavily on reductionist metrics like “le...

In this episode, we are joined by Robert Shireman, Senior Fellow at The Century Foundation. Mr. Shireman is widelyrecognized for his influential work in higher education policy, particularly in the areas of accountability, student protection, and the role of accreditation in regulating institutional quality. A former U.S. Deputy Undersecretary of Education under President Obama, he helped shape critical reforms focused onconsumer protection, financial responsibility, and oversight in postseconda...

The CAHIIM 2025 Summit on Higher Education is right around thecorner — September 16–18! This virtual event will feature 70+ presentations onAI, experiential learning, curriculum design, and the future of accreditation! On this latest episode of Accreditation Insights, we highlight why this summit is a must-attend for higher education and health informatics leaders! Learn more about the summit: CAHIIM 2025 Summit #CAHIIM2025 #AccreditationInsights #EDUP #HigherEd #HealthInformatics

In this episode, we were joined by Todd Nelson, Director of Partner Relationshipsand Chief Partnership Executive at the Healthcare Financial Management Association (HFMA). In our discussion, we explored how strategic partnershipsare leveraged to enhance quality assurance and meet accreditation standards in healthcare finance.

In this special live-streamed episode of Accreditation Insights, Dr.Laurie Shanderson and Dr. Greg Pillar broadcast directly from the inaugural HigherEd PodCon 2025 in Chicago, IL! As the first-ever gathering of podcast hosts, producers, and enthusiastsin the higher education space, PodCon 2025 marks a milestone in how ideas areshared, voices are elevated, and change is sparked through digitalstorytelling. Dr. Shanderson and Dr. Pillar discuss the power of podcastingto shape policy and percepti...

In this episode of Accreditation Insights, we are honored to welcome Mr. Lee Hammond, Chief Executive Officer of the Accreditation Service for International Schools, Colleges, and Universities (ASIC). Under his leadership, ASIC has strengthened its global presence, offering accreditation services that emphasize quality enhancement,institutional effectiveness, and international collaboration. Mr. Hammond brings a wealth of experience in overseeing quality assurance processes across diverse educat...

In this episode of Accreditation Insights, I’m stepping into the host chair solo for a special commentary on a significant development: Six state university systems—led by Florida—are launching a newaccreditor. This effort, announced by Governor Ron DeSantis, is poised to challenge the traditional accreditation landscape and raises serious questions aboutoversight, accountability, and political influence in higher education. As always, I welcome diverse perspectives on what this means forinst...

Welcome to a special first anniversary episode of Accreditation Insights! In this episode, I was thrilled to be joined by my co-hosts Dr. Leamor Kahanov, Dr. Greg Pillar, and Dr. Bryan Alexander as we marked this milestone moment. Our guest was Cecelia Livengood, Chief Accreditation Officer of theNational Association for Academic Excellence (NAAE). In this timely andthought-provoking episode, Cecelia shared how NAAE is reimagining accreditation to empower institutions with greater choice and al...

In the latest episode of AccreditationInsights, we continue our compelling conversation with Jane Larsson,Executive Director of the Council of International Schools (CIS) and Chair ofThe International Taskforce on Child Protection. Jane’s leadership spans over 25 years in international education, and in this episode, we delve into her current work spearheading global efforts to create safer learning environments for children.From accreditation standards to institutional accountability, Jane sha...

Welcome to another episode of Accreditation Insights. In this episode we are honored to be joined by Dr. Keri Nunn-Ellison, Senior Director at the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN). Dr. Nunn-Ellison is a respected leader in nursing education and accreditation, with deep expertise in shaping academic standards and ensuring programmatic excellence. In this episode, we’ll explore how accreditation advances the quality andintegrity of nursing education, impacting not only ins...

In this two-part conversation, cohostsShanderson and Pillar are joined by Rebeka Mazzone, Principal at FuturEdFinance a firm focused on helping colleges and universities navigatelong-term viability in an increasingly competitive market. Rebeka discusses the financial challenges faced by higher education institutions, particularlysmaller ones, and with her extensive experience in financial strategy, she shares insights on how institutions can effectively navigate these challenges. In Part Two, w...

In this two-part conversation, co-hostsShanderson and Pillar are joined by Rebeka Mazzone, Principal at FuturEdFinance, a firm focused on helping colleges and universities navigatelong-term viability in an increasingly competitive market. Rebeka discusses the financial challenges faced by higher education institutions, particularlysmaller ones, and with her extensive experience in financial strategy, she shares insights on how institutions can navigate these challenges effectively. In Part One,...

In this episode of Accreditation Insights, we're joined by Dr. Angela Kennedy, CEO of the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM), who shares her insights into the evolving mission of CAHIIM, the impact of rapid technological change on academic standards, and the competencies future professionals must develop. We’ll also discuss international accreditation, institutional engagement, and CAHIIM’s strategic vision for the years ahead. This ...

Welcome to Accreditation Insights, where we explore the frontiers ofeducational accreditation and the innovative practices that shape them. In this episode, we're joined by Michael Zimmerman from Campus.edu, a key figure in driving forward-thinking accreditation processes at his institution. As we delve into Michael's strategies and experiences, we aim to uncover how innovative approaches can redefine accreditation standards and practices. Needing institutional or programmatic accreditation sup...

In this episode of AccreditationInsights we're joined by David A. Rettinger and Tricia Bertram Gallant, editors of the insightful book "Cheating Academic Integrity: Lessons from 30 Years of Research." This book is a culmination of decades of research andprovides an in-depth look at the complexities of academic dishonesty. Our guests will share their extensive knowledge on the evolution of cheating, the psychological drivers behind academic integrity violations, and innovative strategies to mitig...

Join us on Accreditation Insightsas we welcome Dr. Melissa Morris-Olson, Chief Executive Officer of The American University of Greece Global Campus, Distinguished Professor of Higher Education Leadership, Founding Director of HELOS and CHELIP, Provost Emerita, and author of IngenioUs Leadership. With a career marked by transformativeleadership in institutional development, governance, and accreditation, Dr.Morris-Olson has redefined what is possible in higher education. In thisepisode, we delve...

In this episode, we're joined by Amy Dykens, CEO of Weave, a pioneering company at the intersection of technologyand accreditation. Under her leadership, Weave has collaborated with Amazon AWS's innovation team to integrate artificial intelligence into accreditation processes, setting new educational quality and efficiency standards. Join usas we explore how AI transforms accreditation and what this means for institutions worldwide. Needing institutional or programmatic accreditation support? C...

This episode features Dr. KestonFulcher, a distinguished Professor at James Madison University in the Centerfor Assessment and Research Studies within the Department of GraduatePsychology. Dr. Fulcher brings knowledge and experience in accreditation and assessment, offering invaluable insights into how these processes impact institutions and contribute to educational excellence. Today, we'll dive deep into the challenges andinnovations in accreditation, the role of assessment in maintaining edu...

In this episode of Accreditation Insights, we delve into the world of musiceducation with two distinguished guests: Dr. Bradley Fuster and Dr. VickyFurby. They bring decades of experience and leadership in the artsand higher education. Today’s conversation centers on the National Association of Schools ofMusic—NASM—a specialized accrediting body that ensures excellence in music programs across the United States. We’ll examine the accreditation process, the tangible impact of NASM’s standards, an...